GRAHAM SLEE ACCESSION MOVING MAGNET PHONO AMPLIFIER REVIEWED & UPGRADED POWER SUPPLY!

A small footprint phono amplifier with big ambitions, Paul Rigby listens to this and the upgraded power supply

VIDEO CONTENTS
00:00 - Introduction & Prices
00:59 - Closer Look
5:54 - Sound Quality
8:38 - Upgraded Enigma Power Supply
11:38 - EQs
14:18 - Final Thoughts, Pros & Cons and Rating

#grahamslee #amplifier #turntable #audiophile #paulrigby #theaudiophileman

PATREON
The page arrives with a growing range of BUYER'S GUIDES, exclusive and early-bird VIDEOS!

SOCIAL MEDIA
You can also find me via this lot:

OTHER CREDITS
Old Bossa by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution

[JohnSmith-ofvh]

We had a debate on his website as to whether black was/ would be an option. I am glad he (Graham) has decided to make it available as I personally think it looks better this way. Others thought it did not matter what colour it is but nevertheless it's nice to have the option at this (or any) price.

[MikeHobdell-yizv]

Great review. I've been using an Accession for a afew years with the Enigma power supply and your review just confirms my thoughts as to how good the sound quality is from this amazing design. I love the simplicity of the layout and sturdy, no nonsense controls. In my mind it's a top class product designed and built by craftsmen (in Yorkshire) that will last for years.

[DavidGriffiths-pplq]

Nice review. I've owned one of these for, i dunno, 7 or 8 years. But hey, better late than never :). I use the EXP to step up to MC. There is also an Accession MC available now. Mine has tbe standard PSU1 as the Enigma wasn't invented when I bought it. In light of this review I may consider the upgrade to Enigma. One thing i have learned over the years is that your reviews are honest and where i have had the opportunity to listen to same gear, they largely concur with my own views. This makes them a good source of info to me.

UPDATE: I just added the Enigma PSU1 to both units and have to agree that it's definitely a worthwhile upgrade, taking performance up a notch or two from what was already a pretty high bar imo. I can't imagine there is much out there to beat this performance at anything like the price. A little bonus was that when I contacted them to talk about the upgrade they offered me a not insignificant discount if I returned the old PSU's - one of which is almost 18yrs old. What nice people!

[aSpeakerBlocksAway]

Iam using an Reflex C with an Denon DL 103R and I´m so happy with it. Tryed alot of the Graham slees and they sound damn great.

[ClassicsAndVinyl]

I've used both the MM and MC versions of the Accession for a long time now and both perform impeccably.

[fletchermunson]

Saw the Mel Torme"The Velvet Fog" when I was a very young. I used to hang out at a hobby/toy store in Los Angeles. I noticed the owner was building a HO train layout on a 4x8" piece of plywood for a customer.Turns out the customer was Mel Torme. I had no idea who he was. . I don't know of it was for him as a model rail road enthusiast or a gift for his son Tracy. Tracy eventually went on to become a screenwriter. A very nice fellow I ran across later in life..

[aitchr]

Great review. Graham Slee products really are good, quiet and the Jazz has a whole suite of available curves for non-RIAA records. Recommended. Not just for Jazz!

[TimothyCook-kl]

Thanks for the review Paul. I've been using the Accession for several years now. Looks like the enigma upgrade is now on my to buy list. I also have a Graham Slee headphone amplifier, and am wondering about the effects of the enigma on that too!
Best wishes Tim

[montycaps]

Great review !! I’ve owned the Gram Amp 2 Communicator and the Reflex M. Both amazing units. I’ve also tried both their interconnects CuSat50 and AgSat90 with great results. The later being my favorite in my system. This company has always been a pound for pound champion to me. Cheers from Canada!!

[patrickbower]

I have been using the Accession with Enigma power supply for some years with my wonderful MusicMaster moving iron cartridge made by the Cartridgeman, Len Gregory, who sadly died in 2020. The sound from this combination is spell binding. Maybe you could do a comparison of high end moving magnet design coupled with the Accession/Engima versus a similarly priced moving coil and phono amp combination? Are there some sound quality benefits to moving magnet technology versus moving coil.

[Extremesam]

Paul, it's always good to see other features on a preamp. I've never seen a curve adjustment before and I'd sure like to hear it. Thanks for this video!

[Audiofreak]

I own the Acession and have it paired with the Elevator EXP as I only use MC carts and the paring is exceptional. Thanks for the video.

[vladimirdorta]

This is the kind of review I love from Paul. I need his suggestion for a top-of-the-line MM cartridge now that the Cartridge Man is no more.

[NickP]

Thanks for another excellent review, Paul. I’d definitely opt for the external PSU. I’ve got an external PSU for my turntable and my Tavish phono pre, which I’ve been using for a few yrs now. The Graham Slee phono stage I heard sounded great. I dig the output level knob and the stereo / mono switch. Looks like an overall nice design. Thanks again, Paul.

[enricolisk]

Wish they had another model with the same quality but simple design. No volume, no toggle switches, just the dip switches.

[hmrowland]

Paul I appreciate your mention of the 78s. It seems that the mono switch on components always gets ignored. The bulk of my collection is early 12" Mono. Could you maybe say a few words about the effects of the Mono sound/processing/reproduction in your upcoming Accession II video, please.

[jbenz]

Great review Paul! I would love to see you review the Lounge LCR silver phono or the Hagerman Coronet, bugle, or piccolo. Bye bye for now 😄

[ninja_boy]

Great review. I've heard nothing but good things about the Accession. Definitely curious about the Accession MC. Seems like it's basically the same, just with loading switches on the back instead of capacitance.

[jdthompson]

I have a vintage (circa late 80s) system using Dual CS-5000 wood base turntable with Ortofon Blue Cart and an HK integrated amp - PM 655 Vxi - currently using the built phono-stage input. Both were professionally refurbished recently and in top condition! I also use Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary Speakers.

Sound is good but I’d like to get a separate phono amplifier upgrade but I’m wondering if you think this phono amp would actually upgrade my sound quality given the turntable and good but not audiophile equipment I’m using … OR would it be overkill or mismatched with my vintage equipment where it would be overkill and a waste of money. If that’s the case, what would you recommend? Thanks!

[rosswarren]

Given the markings on the power supply stating 230V/50Hz/60mA input, does that mean this unit is not for the U.S. market? [Edit: I see they offer U.S. voltage and plug options on their website]. While some would consider this "expensive" at about $1000 USD with the PSU1 or the additional $$$ for the Enigma, the fact you say that it can give MM carts the upper treble response of MC carts makes it a good value proposition to add to a good TT with MM cart. Ah, decisions, decisions.